Sam Greenwood could now ditch Leeds United and quit in January after what he said, he’s checked out
Leeds United loanee Sam Greenwood has hinted at a potential permanent move to Middlesbrough already in January after comments made regarding his form at the Riverside.
The incredibly gifted Whites academy graduate has two goals in nine Championship appearances so far for Michael Carrick’s side, and by all means, is enjoying his time in the North-East as he targets the opportunities he didn’t get at Elland Road.
The Athletic journalist Phil Hay reported on Monday (9 October) that the Teeside giants can exercise the option to buy the 21-year-old who has a contract at Elland Road until 2026 for just £1.5million.
It is said that this is the exact amount Leeds United paid to secure his services from Premier League giants Arsenal back in 2020.
Speaking to BBC Tees on 29 October, as reported by Leeds Live, Greenwood expressed his happiness at Middlesbrough, saying: “We just have to keep going now.
“I’m happy with how things are going for me personally right now, but we’re a proper team here. Rather than looking at it as just about me, it’s more important that we focus on the team.
“For me personally, it is going well and I’m really happy, but I’m just focused on helping the team keep pushing. There’s a lot of hard work going into this run, the way we train etc and the hard work is paying off.”
While there’s a danger in reading too much into the youngster’s comments, there are subtle hints at the changes and transformation he’s enjoying in his new surroundings.
But since then, he’s had limited chances in West Yorkshire which ultimately led to his decision to go out on loan and the £1.5m reported clause in his contract which Middlesbrough can trigger should they wish to, means the Whites are certainly open to his exit which is incredibly baffling.
First and foremost, Greenwood is a highly-rated commodity at Elland Road and arguably one of their most gifted academy products and while a loan move was always on the horizon for him given his lack of opportunities, it should be expected that he’d best set for a first-team role upon his return.
That now looks like a strong uncertainty with that incredibly small exit clause.
Also, Greenwood still has three years left on his deal which makes the £1.5m demand even more ridiculous and not exactly good business from the Whites at all.
Middlesbrough could well be about to go out and grab and absolute steel in the market but could also turn out to be an absolute weight and pain on the Leeds United finances, letting go of an extremely talented commodity for next to nothing.
It all seems to suggest that he is not as highly regarded by Daniel Farke as he was with Marsch or Bielsa and the Whites could not be staring down the barrel of another unfortunate, surprise and costly academy exit at Elland Road.
His latest comments have given off the vibe that he’s checked out in West Yorkshire already.
In other Leeds United news, Daniel Farke has set one Leeds star a new challenge.